As young girls transition into adulthood, it’s expected for them to go through puberty. Unfortunately, many of them don’t have the knowledge they need to cope with the changes in their bodies. One important event that parents and guardians need to discuss is having a period. Given how essential it is to identify emergency situations quickly, you need to let them know what’s normal and what’s not. Here are 7 places to start.
1. You’re Having Severe Mood Swings
The hormonal fluctuations that are associated with menstruation can often lead to mood swings and being more emotional. There are also physical changes such as breast tenderness, bloating, and food cravings.
However, if you’re having significant mood swings, feelings of hopelessness, unexplained anxiety, and irritability, you may be dealing with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMDD is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and is usually associated with an issue with your hormones. The symptoms usually need to be managed with medication.
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2. Your Cramps Are Extremely Painful
Cramps can vary from one person to the other but in most cases, the pain can be managed with over-the-counter medication.
If they don’t work for you, then it might be a sign that you should be checked for more serious conditions like endometriosis or uterine fibroids. It’s best to talk to your doctor as soon as possible so you can be assessed.
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3. You Develop A Sudden Fever
When you’re menstruating, you have several choices for the types of products you’d like to use. If you choose to use tampons, though, you need to know the signs of a condition called toxic shock syndrome.
This condition is a rare bacterial infection that can typically be avoided by changing your tampons regularly. The symptoms to look out for include a sudden high fever, muscle aches, dizziness, and diarrhea.
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4. Your Flow Is Much Heavier Than Before
Studies show that your menstrual flow can change over time, but the average person only loses a few tablespoons of blood during their periods.
This flow usually results in changing a tampon or sanitary napkin 3-6 times daily. If your period is heavier than that and shows signs of getting heavier, it could be a sign of a chronic condition.
As with painful cramps, you may be dealing with endometriosis or uterine fibroids along with other conditions.
5. You’re Seeing Bleeding In Between Periods
While some people have reported a little spotting just before the start of a period, bleeding in between periods isn’t usually a good sign.
In some cases, the bleeding can be light, but in others, it’s heavy enough to warrant the need for tampons or napkins. If you’re experiencing this, talk to your doctor immediately.
6. Your Periods Have Suddenly Stopped
It’s normal for a stressful event or illness to disrupt the menstrual cycle. However, if your periods have stopped for more than 3 months, it’s a sign that you need to talk to your doctor.
This condition is known as amenorrhea and can be caused by physical exertion like exercising too much, losing too much weight, as well as issues with the pituitary, thyroid, or adrenal glands.
7. Your Period Is Lasting Longer
The average length of a period is 5 days but it can be shorter or longer for some people. However, if your period has been established at a set length, changes can be a sign of trouble. This is especially true if a longer period is accompanied by a heavier flow or more painful cramps. As discussed before, these are all signs of endometriosis or uterine fibroids but you’ll only know for sure if you consult your doctor.
Of course, young girls might not be the only ones who are unaware of what’s abnormal when menstruating. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, make sure to see your doctor as soon as possible. Regardless of the issue, early detection can make a considerable difference in getting treated.
